Output from British car factories fell 15.5 percent in May 2019, meaning UK automotive manufacturing has now declined for a full year without break.

More than 21,000 fewer cars left UK car factories during May, with exports down 12.6 percent and British cars for British buyers falling by over a quarter.

So far in 2019, car production in the UK is down 21 percent, to 1,370,961 cars. This is the lowest running total for six years.

The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) said the latest figures were proof of the importance of securing a Brexit deal without delay.

Exports account for over eight in 10 UK-made cars, and most cars are sent to Europe.

“Twelve consecutive months of decline for UK car manufacturing is a serious concern,” said SMMT chief executive Mike Hawes.

“The sector is facing multiple seismic challenges simultaneously: technological, environmental and economic.

“The ongoing political instability and uncertainty over our future overseas trade relationships, most notably with Europe, is not helping… a brighter future is only possible if we secure a deal that can help us regain our reputation as an attractive location for automotive investment.

“No deal is not an option.”

So far in 2019, almost 150,000 cars have been built in Britain, compared to 2018.

A flagship store in the heart of Sydney’s central marked the start of Hyundai’s luxury Genesis brand in Australia with strong intentions. 

The launch is part of plans to push the upmarket name to more locations. Genesis models are currently only sold in selected areas, and Australia becomes the first market to receive cars in right-hand drive. 

A pair of saloons are the first models on sale, but Hyundai has ambitious plans for the Genesis label, with more cars to follow.

Premium lifestyle experience

The roll-out of Genesis in Australia more resembles the launch of a technology brand, rather than a traditional car company. 

Somewhat ironically, the Genesis store is located on the pedestrianised Pitt Street Mall in the centre of Sydney. A giant spiral staircase is surrounded by a showpiece curved LED screen, hoping to maintain the premium experience. 

Although potential customers can meet with Genesis Experience Executives in store, the company aims to make the car buying process even easier through online sales. 

Buyers can have a car to test drive brought directly to their home, configure and order a car online, and have their new Genesis handed over at a convenient location. Servicing and maintenance is also handled by a concierge service. 

Sporty or luxurious?

Kicking off the right-hand drive Genesis range in Australia is the G70 sports saloon. Designed to compete with the BMW 3 Series and Mercedes-Benz C-Class, the G70 collected the prize for 2019 North American Car of the Year. 

Related to the popular Kia Stinger, the G70 is offered in both rear- and all-wheel drive formats. A 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine is standard, with the option of  a more powerful 3.3-litre twin-turbocharged V6 available.

Also hitting showrooms is the larger Genesis G80 saloon. Offered with a 3.8-litre V6 engine, Australian buyers are currently denied the more powerful 5.0-litre V8 version of the G80 sold in other markets. 

Intended to be a refined executive four-door, the G80 includes features like LED headlights, a 17-speaker audio system, and an Australian-market tuned adaptive suspension system.

Just the beginning

Both the G70 and G80 come with a five-year/unlimited mileage warranty, combined with five years of servicing and roadside assistance as standard. Drivers also get updates to sat nav maps for five years, too. 

Opening the flagship Sydney Studio, Executive Vice President, Global Head of the Genesis Brand, Manfred Fitzgerald noted that the store “ushers in a new exclusive way to buy and own a luxury car, providing customers with all-encompassing premium ownership experience”.

The company has also confirmed that an SUV model will join the Genesis range in Australia by 2020. 

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The winning bidder for the very first 2020 Toyota GR Supra to leave the production line has now taken delivery of his special car. 

John Staluppi, President and CEO of the Auto Atlantic Group of dealerships, plus an avid car collector, has had to wait six long months. 

Staluppi’s winning bid of $2.1 million (£1.55 million) was enough to secure the car at the Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale auction back in January. 

Although the $2.1 million figure may be enough to buy 42 regular production GR Supras, the car Staluppi now has is rather special. 

It wears a VIN which ends in ‘20201’ to denote that it was the first fifth-generation Supra to be built for the 2020 model year. 

‘Global Supra #1’ also wears special matte exterior paint, combined with red door mirror caps and a set of gloss black alloy wheels. A red interior is also part of the package.

Staluppi also collected a variety of other special items along with the first GR Supra. Bob Carter, Toyota executive vice president of sales, presented Staluppi with his new car and his accompanying goodies. 

These included a custom-created Toyota race suit, a VIP track day experience, and a photo signed by Toyota Motor Corporation President Akio Toyoda. The engine cover of the GR Supra was also signed by Toyoda-san. 

Most important of all in the process was the money raised for charity. Proceeds from the $2.1 million hammer price will be split between the American Heart Foundation, along with the Bob Woodruff Foundation. 

Chevrolet could end production of its iconic Camaro muscle car in 2023.

Although the Camaro is much-loved by fans, poor sales may force the American marque to cross a seventh-generation car off the development docket.

Anonymous sources inside GM told Muscle Cars & Trucks that development of a seventh-generation car has been ‘suspended’.

The rumours come despite the fact that an updated Alpha platform is ready (under the skin of the newly-revealed Cadillac CT4 and CT5) and could form the basis of a new Camaro.

If the Camaro name is indeed ‘likely to be shelved’ in 2023, it won’t be the first time. There was an eight-year production gap between the fourth- and fifth-generation cars.

The former, known by enthusiasts as the last ‘F body’, died in 2002. A new-generation car was teased by a retro concept that appeared in the Transformers film in 2007, with the production version following in 2009.

GM had fallen on very hard times at that point, but the Camaro brought some welcome good news. The hype around Transformers and excitement for the return of a classic nameplate with retro looks and monster performance fuelled a sales boom.

Chevy regularly shifted more than 80,000 units a year during fifth-gen Camaro production. The sixth-generation car, which debuted in 2015, hasn’t done so well. Last year just 51,000 Camaros were sold, down on the previous year’s near-68,000 figure.

Why isn’t the Camaro selling?

The gen-six, while a good performance machine, doesn’t have the viability of a proper pony car. It’s got the V8 and the handling, but it’s not very practical, difficult to see out of and, in SS V8 form, quite expensive.

Then there is the styling. It was a polarising thing on release, if not offensive-looking. The recent facelift, though, has to be one of the worst received in the entire history of the car.

Apart from that, perhaps people have had their fill. Retro styling is very familiar now, and the new car made a slightly odd go of further modernisation.

Then again, the success of Dodge’s Challenger – a car as old as the hills – says otherwise. It has retained a very old-school and simple bravado, while the Camaro (and to a lesser extent, the Ford Mustang), have become a bit fussy. Plus, it’s the powerhouse poster car where 707hp is third-best.

Whatever happens, if it happens, we’ll be sad if the Camaro goes. Not that we got it officially in the UK anyway…

Fraudsters are employing a new tactic in their pursuit of a quick – and dangerous – buck, warns claims expert AX. 

‘Hide and crash’ involves the criminal’s car hiding in your blind-spot, then accelerating abruptly, swerving in and slamming on the brakes.

Their aim is to get you to crash into the back of them. Generally speaking, it’s always the person behind who’s considered at fault, hence the fraudsters’ focus.

“This new tactic is a dangerous progression of the existing ‘slam on’ approach,” explains Neil Thomas, director of investigative services at AX.

“Criminals can take cover in a driver’s blind-spot, wait for the ideal moment, then accelerate and move into their pathway before slamming on the brakes.”

The top five tactics to induce accidents

Motor fraud costs drivers and insurers £340 million every year. Hide and crash is, in fact, an evolution of existing tactics used by criminals to put themselves at the blameless end of a smash.

These are the top five tricks to be aware of:

1. ‘Slam on’

This is exactly how it sounds. There’s no swerving and no hiding: just a needless application of the brakes to catch you out. Some drivers do so without the intention of causing a crash, to make you give them space.

2. Flash for crash

This involves someone flashing to let you out, only for them to accelerate and hit you. Because you’re being let out, it’s the other driver’s right of way, and therefore technically not his or her fault.

3. Crash for ready cash

This involves employing any of these tactics and more and then asking for cash to fix their car

4. Hide and crash

Hiding in the driver’s blind-spot, then accelerating, swerving in front and braking hard.

5. Hire and crash

The fraudster hires a car and stages an accident with a friend.

Where is most at risk for motor fraud?

Anywhere where you might find yourself encroaching on another driver’s right of way is a risk. This includes most roundabouts, especially those without CCTV, traffic lights and side road turnings.

Motorways, particularly when they’re busy, are popular for traditional ‘slam on’ tactics. This takes advantage of the automatic presumption of fault and the high speeds on motorways. It’s also hidden in the hustle and bustle.

Protecting yourself against fraudulent crashes

Dash cams can be a huge ally in the fight against motor fraud.

Double-check every move you make, especially when being ‘let out’. If you take your time, someone who is genuinely letting you out might move on. A fraudster could well linger, frustratedly gesturing for you to go.

Watch for passengers in the car in front of you looking back, too. This can be a sign that they’re getting ready for a ‘slam on’.